Magnum pressure 44 special loads?

[singleaction]

First off, I know that there is a majority of folks who are very dismissive of the subject, and think that one should leave 44 mag pressures in the 44 mag. Fair enough. I get it. However, regardless of all of those various opinions and cautionary warnings as to why one should not load the 44 special up to 44 mag pressure, I am wondering if there is a percentage rule of thumb for loading the 44 special up to 44 mag pressures. Specifically. I am interested in running 300+ grain cast bullets with H110. My gun is fully capable of digesting 40k loads without issue, and I don’t need advise in that regard. Any informed loading advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Matt

[Encore64]

I've got a load sheet of 44 Special Data which operates at 44 Magnum Pressures.

The difference in ballistics isn't as much as you'd think.

[leftysixgun]

Just personally speaking….I prefer the 44spl over the 44mag. I don’t own a 44mag. But I do run my 44spl close to Keith levels with a 240-250gr Keith style bullet.
But To me, the 44mag case is more capable of pushing a 300gr bullet than the 44spl. Thats me thinking out loud based on the increased case capacity the 44mag offers for the heavier bullet vs. the 44spl.

[Encore64]

Aug 28, 2024 13:08:20 GMT -5 leftysixgun said:

Just personally speaking….I prefer the 44spl over the 44mag. I don’t own a 44mag. But I do run my 44spl close to Keith levels with a 240-250gr Keith style bullet.
But To me, the 44mag case is more capable of pushing a 300gr bullet than the 44spl. Thats me thinking out loud based on the increased case capacity the 44mag offers for the heavier bullet vs. the 44spl.

According to cylinder length and bullet design/seating depth...

[Fowler]

As I recall Brian Pearce has listed on several occasions a 300gr load over H110 for 1050fps at the roof for the 44sp.

That load would be all youd every need in a 44sp in my never humble opinion. I even had a second taller front sight made for my #5 for 300 bullets, never proved it was needed because I havnt ever tried 300s in her. A 250gr Keith will exit an Elk with any shot Id take so I never went up there...

[z1r]

Brian Pearce's data: 307 Dry Creek cast, SWC H-110, 15.5 gr 1,057 fps at 25,000 PSI. You probably already have this though.

[leftysixgun]

I stand corrected. I haven’t seen much data, if any, for a 300gr for the 44spl.
I like where this is going though…..!

[singleaction]

Aug 28, 2024 14:04:04 GMT -5 z1r said:

Brian Pearce's data: 307 Dry Creek cast, SWC H-110, 15.5 gr 1,057 fps at 25,000 PSI. You probably already have this though.

I do have that article. Accuratemolds makes, what amounts to, the same bullet. I’m looking at another accurate mold bullet they have that also places a lot of bullet outside the case:

accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=43-300P

[blackmamba]

Plugging some numbers into GRT: Hornady 300 gr. XTP @ 1.48" from a 6" barrel shows 1215 fps @ 34.5 kpsi with 17.5 gr. of H110.
With a 300 gr. SWC that you could seat out to 1.58" you get 1240 fps @ 33.0 kpsi with 19.5 gr. of H110.

[singleaction]

Aug 28, 2024 14:53:45 GMT -5 blackmamba said:

Plugging some numbers into GRT: Hornady 300 gr. XTP @ 1.48" from a 6" barrel shows 1215 fps @ 34.5 kpsi with 17.5 gr. of H110.
With a 300 gr. SWC that you could seat out to 1.58" you get 1240 fps @ 33.0 kpsi with 19.5 gr. of H110.

Thank you. Really appreciate that!

[blackmamba]

Singleaction, I just saw your post after I posted mine. With that long-nosed bullet loaded to 1.61" you get:

20.0 gr. H110 giving 35.0 kpsi at 1300 fps. 107% load density at that max 20 gr. load.

18.7 gr. gives 100% load density @ 1215 fps and 29 kpsi.

[paul105]

I have a 5.5" Freedom Arms M97. I experimented with some 300 + gr loads a while back (looked at my records and it was in 2013 - how time flies). The Lee 300gr FNGC dual crimp bullet (+- 310gr) crimped in the bottom crimp grove (long OAL) at approx 1.600" takes up virtually the same powder space in 44 special cases as the 300gr Horn JHP does in .44 Mag cases.


The following are not .44 special pressure loads - DO NOT USE UNLESS YOUR GUN IS RATED FOR .44 MAGNUM PRESSURE

I loaded the 300gr Lees in Starline .44 special cases, with 19.2gr of H110, Win Large Pistol primers, seated and crimped in lower crimp grove for nominal 1.600 OAL. These chronographed 1,216 fps at 5 long steps from the muzzle and 50 deg F for three rounds in the 5.5" M97.

Also loaded some Beartooth (no longer avail) 325gr WLNGCs. Note: the 315gr Montana Bullets Works LBT WLN-GC looks like the same bullet. With starline .44 special cases, 17.4gr H110, CCI350, seated and crimped in crimp grove (1.591 OAL), these chronoed 1,157 fps at 5 long steps and 80 deg F for 3 rounds.
Note: Hodgdon online .44 Magnum data using the exact same Beartooth Bullet == Max H110 charge is 22.0gr in .44 Mag cases and Rem 2 1/2 primers (my 6" M629 using the .44 mag load chronoed 1,269fps with Fed 155s at 5 long steps and 70 deg F).

AGAIN, USE ONLY IN GUNS RATED FOR .44 MAGNUM PRESSURES.

Paul

[bula]

I don't doubt the OP can get what he wants. I haven't finished up with the loading yet, as I changed course for the gun, M69, but I've played with a 300gr Missouri Bullet seated in cannelure in 44spec and deep seated over front driving band in 44 mag. Cylinder short for 44mag and that long bullet unless deepseated. As a get off me gun, the 44spec hulls eject free easier was a plus. I do not have the final data at hand and in any case was playing with Longshot. But I do have a nice pic if any interested and want to send me by message a cell number. I'm not able to post pics, but can share by text. 

[singleaction]

Wow! Thanks fellas! That’s should get me to a great start!

[bula]

Should'a remembered, Paul105 has that data ! But a pic if someone wants...